Whether you’re a practicing nurse looking to specialize or a new nurse aspiring to work in an intensive care setting, obtaining certification in critical care nursing can significantly enhance your skills and employment prospects. Here’s a list of the top 10 online courses that offer extensive training and certification opportunities in critical care nursing.
1. AACN Critical Care Nursing Course
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) offers a comprehensive learning program designed specifically for critical care. This course focuses on adult, pediatric, and neonatal critical care. Notably, the AACN provides the CCRN certification which is highly respected in the nursing community. Their e-learning modules are detailed and user-friendly, covering vital topics like clinical judgment, advocacy, and caring practices.
2. American Red Cross Critical Care Nursing Course
The American Red Cross offers a critical care course which combines advanced nursing skills with disaster response and emergency preparedness. This program is unique because it prepares nurses not only for hospital settings but also for critical situations like natural disasters, where intensive care expertise is crucial.
3. CriticalCareAcademy.org’s Online Critical Care Course
This site offers a variety of critical care courses that are ideal for nurses looking to expand their expertise or refresh their knowledge. Their programs cover all the fundamentals of critical care nursing, including patient assessment, pharmacology, and complex decision-making skills. The courses are interactive and incorporate up-to-date research and protocols.
4. Nurse.com Critical Care Nursing Certification Review
Partnered with BoardVitals, Nurse.com offers a Critical Care Nursing Certification Review that helps prepare nurses for the certification exam. The course includes a mix of lectures, readings, and practice examinations, focusing on the most test-critical information. This can be an excellent choice for nurses who specifically aim to pass certification exams such as the CCRN.
5. Kaplan Critical Care Training
Kaplan is well known for its robust exam preparation resources across various fields, and its critical care courses are no exception. Kaplan’s course provides an intensive review of essential topics in critical care, accompanied by simulation questions and test-taking strategies tailored for the CCRN certification exam.
6. eCornell Critical Care Nursing Certificate Program
Cornell University’s online learning subsidiary offers a certificate program in critical care. This program is designed for nurses who wish to advance their careers by gaining in-depth knowledge of critical care. The curriculum, designed by Cornell’s top faculty, guarantees high-quality education that blends theory with practical applications.
7. RN.com’s Adult Critical Care Nursing Course
RN.com, accredited by the ANCC, offers a self-paced Critical Care Nursing Course that is affordable and comprehensive. The program covers core areas including cardiovascular and pulmonary care, which are essential components of adult critical care nursing. Upon completion, nurses receive a certification that can enhance both their credibility and career prospects.
8. Philips Learning Center Critical Care Courses
The Philips Learning Center provides a variety of online courses tailored to critical care technology and patient handling. For nurses interested in the technological aspects of critical care, such as using advanced monitoring systems and ventilators, Philips offers practical, easy-to-understand tutorials.
9. MedBridge Critical Care Education
MedBridge is known for its high-quality video-based learning, and its critical care course is geared towards both improving clinical skills and passing certification exams. The platform features top-notch instructors and includes courses on pain management, end-of-life care, and much more, ensuring a comprehensive educational experience.
10. Soliant Critical Care Bootcamp
Soliant offers a “Critical Care Bootcamp” designed to prepare nurses for the real-life challenges of working in an ICU setting. This course provides education on complex patient care, ethical considerations, and team communication, catering to both new nurses and experienced professionals seeking to refresh their skills.
Enhancing your qualifications with a critical care certification can be a game changer in your nursing career, providing better job opportunities and the expertise to care for patients in the most demanding environments. Each of these courses offers unique advantages, so consider your personal learning style, career goals, and budget when choosing the right one for you.